United Blind Of Seattle Meeting Minutes – 2024
United Blind Of Seattle Meeting Minutes – 2024
United Blind of Seattle Meeting Minutes
Date Of Meeting: September 21, 2024
The meeting began at noon. UBS President Young Choi ran the meeting. The following people were in attendance.
Carla Abbott
Zack Abbernathy
Ryan Barrett
William Belina
Becky Bell
Lark Braun
Terry Butler
Young Choi
Dorene Cornwell
Cheryl Cumings (virtually)
Tim Cumings (virtually)
Tyson Ernst
Karen Fredericks
Michael Galpin
Joan Ladeburg
Scott Malyszka
Jamal Mazrui
Glenn McCully
Ursula McCully
RJ
Darryl Roberts
Beverly Saunders
Christy Youssef
Announcements
Young gave Sheri’s monthly Treasurer’s report.
The amount of our CD balance is $42,142.42, and our interest rate is 4.88%.
The checking account balance is$4657.38.
After feedback about the picnic, Young said we could try to get a shelter closer to the entrance to the park for next year. He also said that anyone with ideas for other possible picnic places should let him know.
Young announced that the WCB convention will be at the doubletree hotel from October 24 through October 26 and the registration deadline is October 4th.
A motion was passed for us to donate $150 to the WCB convention, $100 for four regular door prizes and $50 for a door prize at the banquet.
young said he would donate snacks for one of the convention hospitality nights.
Young announced that we will have elections for President and Secretary. Tim Cumings agreed to run again for the secretary position. Cheryl volunteered to chair the nominating committee, and Tyson and Lark volunteered to serve on the committee.
We may go back to the same place for the holiday party, or we may look for a new place.
Dorene announced that there will be accessible voting machines at the downtown Seattle public library on October 19 from noon to 4 pm.
Scott announced that white cane day is October 13 this year and you can sign up at the Washington Talking Book library web site.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:49 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Cumings, Secretary
United Blind Of Seattle Meeting Minutes
Date Of Meeting: May 18, 2024
The meeting began at noon. UBS President Young Choi ran the meeting. The following people were in attendance.
Ryan Barrett
William Belina
Becky bell
Terry Butler
Young Choi
Dorene Cornwell
Cheryl Cumings
Tim Cumings
Tyson Ernst
Karen Fredericks
Cindy Hyer
Joan Ladeburg
Jessie Lorenz
Dana Marmion
Glenn McCully
Ursula McCully
Anisa Proda
Darryl Roberts
Beverly Saunders
Scott Malyszka
Ben Weimer
Christy Youssef (on zoom)
Announcements
Young read the treasurer’s financial report. The checking account contains $4477.20. The CD balance is $41,289.29. We received interest in February for $33.02. In March we receive interest for $170.74
Dorene announced that metro is forming a future paratransit advisory board. Dorene will post the announcement to the email list, or you can contact her at dorenefc@gmail.com
She also said that Washington state is developing an accessible dashboard to help people with internet access.
Darryl announced that the only date for the picnic in the park that was available is Saturday, August 17th, so he reserved that date. He also reserved shelter 2 which will hold 50 people. He said we can request that bathrooms be set up near that particular shelter.
Beverly announced that the next WCB board meeting is on Saturday, May 4th from 1 to 3 pm.
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker was Ben Weimer from Ximira. Ximira is developing a device called Phinix, which is a wearable device that allows blind people to walk safely and freely. The Phinix device consists of a backpack containing a laptop computer which can run for about six hours on a rechargeable battery. The laptop is connected to AI cameras to visualize the environment in three-dimensions, analyze the scene using Artificial Intelligence and communicate with the user using audio feedback through a Bluetooth headset and haptic feedback through a wristband.
Currently, PHINIX can detect curbs, roads, sidewalks, cars, people, animals, pedestrian crossing signs, traffic lights, and more.
The Phinix device would be used in conjunction with a white cane or a guide dog. The backpack containing the phenix is waterproof and contains holes for ventilation, so the Phinix stays cool.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Cumings, Secretary
United Blind Of Seattle Meeting Minutes
Date Of Meeting: March 16, 2024
The meeting began at noon. UBS President Young Choi ran the meeting. The following people were in attendance.
Ryan Barrett
William Belina
Lark Braun
Terry Butler
Young Choi
Cheryl Cumings
Tim Cumings
United Blind Of Seattle Meeting Minutes
Date Of Meeting: April 20, 2024
The meeting began at noon. UBS President Young Choi ran the meeting. The following people were in attendance.
Ryan Barrett
William Belina
Becky bell
Terry Butler
Young Choi
Dorene Cornwell
Cheryl Cumings
Tim Cumings
Tyson Ernst
Karen Fredericks
Cindy Hyer
Joan Ladeburg
Jessie Lorenz
Dana Marmion
Glenn McCully
Ursula McCully
Anisa Proda
Darryl Roberts
Beverly Saunders
Scott Malyszka
Ben Weimer
Christy Youssef (on zoom)
Announcements
Young read the treasurer’s financial report. The checking account contains $4477.20. The CD balance is $41,289.29. We received interest in February for $33.02. In March we receive interest for $170.74
Dorene announced that metro is forming a future paratransit advisory board. Dorene will post the announcement to the email list, or you can contact her at dorenefc@gmail.com
She also said that Washington state is developing an accessible dashboard to help people with internet access.
Darryl announced that the only date for the picnic in the park that was available is Saturday, August 17th, so he reserved that date. He also reserved shelter 2 which will hold 50 people. He said we can request that bathrooms be set up near that particular shelter.
Beverly announced that the next WCB board meeting is on Saturday, May 4th from 1 to 3 pm.
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker was Ben Weimer from Ximira. Ximira is developing a device called Phinix, which is a wearable device that allows blind people to walk safely and freely. The Phinix device consists of a backpack containing a laptop computer which can run for about six hours on a rechargeable battery. The laptop is connected to AI cameras to visualize the environment in three-dimensions, analyze the scene using Artificial Intelligence and communicate with the user using audio feedback through a Bluetooth headset and haptic feedback through a wristband.
Currently, PHINIX can detect curbs, roads, sidewalks, cars, people, animals, pedestrian crossing signs, traffic lights, and more.
The Phinix device would be used in conjunction with a white cane or a guide dog. The backpack containing the phenix is waterproof and contains holes for ventilation, so the Phinix stays cool.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Cumings, Secretary
Michael Galpin
Darryl Roberts
Beverly Saunders (on Zoom)
Dana Marmion (on zoom)
Scott Malyszka
Glenn McCully
Ursula McCully
Members discussed their travel experiences.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:08 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Cumings, Secretary
United Blind Of Seattle Meeting Minutes
Date Of Meeting: February 17, 2024
The meeting began at noon. UBS President Young Choi ran the meeting. The following people were in attendance.
Carla Abbott
Ryan Barrett
William Belina
Becky Bell
Keri Brent
Terry Butler
Young Choi
Cheryl Cumings
Tim Cumings
Karen Fredericks
Michael Galpin
Sheri Richardson, on zoom
Beverly Saunders, on zoom
Vianey Garcia Rodrigues
Glenn Mccully
Ursula Mccully
Sheri Richardson gave the following Treasurer’s report.
“Hello UBS members,
The certificate of deposit (CD) matures on Feb. 24 with ten days to take action. Here are the options:
1. Roll over to a new CD for seven months at 5 percent interest rate.
2. Roll over to a new CD for eleven or eighteen months at 4.65 percent.
We can roll the entire amount over into the new CD, or we can withdraw an amount to be deposited into the checking account, usually the amount of earned interest which will be around $1,000..
I recommend rolling over the entire amount of the CD for seven months at 5 percent. I think it is likely that interest rates will fall somewhat later this year, but I don’t expect a large decline. Renewing for seven months would maintain our flexibility if we need additional funds later this year.
Here is the financial report.
Date: January 18, 2024, â February 16, 2024
Checking account
Beginning balance as of 1/18/2024- $4,477.28
Deposits and withdrawals
0
Balance as of 2/16/2024 – $4,477.28
Savings account (certificate of deposit)
Beginning balance as of 1/18/2024 – $40,809.55
Deposits
1/31/2024 – $157.85
Balance as of 2/16/2024 – $40,967.40
I currently have dues from three people that equal $45.00 which have not yet been deposited. I expect to make this deposit next week.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Sheri Richardson, Treasurer”
The membership agreed to roll over the CD.
The members then discussed possible social events, including a walk around the lake, bowling, and a picnic in August.
Young gave the tip of using Google maps to find not only locations but menus for restaurants.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tim Cumings, Secretary